Withdrawing from prozac after 20yrs??

[Nursenance]

I'm withdrawing from prozac. I'm doing it super slowly and in tiny steps down.
Last dropped a dose about 8wks ago and last few days have suddenly felt horrible. Sleepy, anxious for no reason and just ill?

Anyone any experience of this? Of withdrawl kicking in weeks later?

I'm still on a low dose

Yes this is normal. Especially since antidepressants require adjusting to anyway, much like recreational drugs. You will experience withdrawal symptoms, as unfortunate as that is.

Please, however, do not withdraw from any kind of antidepressant without the go ahead from your doctor. Yes, you have the right to stop taking it when you please, but the doctor will help you do that (if that is the case).

Likewise, if you are withdrawing because things have gone better for you, congratulations! I am proud of you. (I'm still stuck on mine 😔).

Hope this helps.

Thank you! Yep this is my 4th attempt in 20yrs to get off them. Am weaning off at a snails pace...thank you for reply. That helps a lot!

I have been off Venlafaxine now since end of June. That took me over a year to titrate down. I was advised to open the capsules and just take one mini dose out at a time. Each mini was 12.5. Then when I was down to one, to take one every other day. Then stop. It took about four weeks before I felt OK every day.

This advice was from my GP who was an addiction withdrawal specialist. I had been on meds since 1995.

One thing I wasn't prepared for though is how raw (for want of a better word) everything feels. Everything makes me cry, good or bad!

I hope you manage it, however you do it.

Thank you. I'd love to talk to a withdrawl specialist. My gp is lovely but I feel like I've done more research than then on anti depressants. Not knocking my GP.
I wonder how to talk to a withdrawl specialist privately? I dont even know what to Google?

Good luck op, please keep us updated. I've been on 40mg prozac for 25 years and would love to ween off, but I'm so scared of the withdrawal effects 😢.

I withdrew from Prozac over about four months, super gradually. I used a pill cutter & extended intervals between doses but apparently you can request liquid Prozac. It is possible but go slow & steady. Accept there will be bumpy times & use tried & tested self care strategies to manage them. I've been off Prozac for approaching two years & feel good, though obvs have my off days. If I need to, I'll go back on it. You can do this!

Wow thank you everyone! This helps loads knowing there are people who have done it!
I've gone from 20mg to 10mg over a year and am happy if it takes another year.
I'll hang in there and keep you all posted!

Anxiety bad today but telling myself it's just chemical and will pass

Good luck @Nursenance - you've got this!

I came off Prozac by gradually cutting back, taking it on alternate days and and then every few days. I was fine, although more by luck than judgement. I did go through a spell of being very tired indeed, although maybe it was unconnected. Post Prozac, I feel great. But early days still. Originally I was on 60mg, then reduced to 40mg and now of course nothing.

Just reflecting further: I don’t advise doing it my way. With a GP would be better.

Have you got the liquid Prozac? It makes it much easier to reduce in tiny increments.